Ferguson versus Mourinho: Five encounters between the legend and the Special One

The United manager has won just twice in 15 matches against Mourinho, who has had success with Porto, Chelsea, Inter Milan and Real Madrid.

He has been defeated six times, and there have been seven draws. Here are some of the rivals’ most memorable encounters...

Best of rivals: But Jose Mourinho is used to coming out on top against Sir Alex Ferguson

2004: Porto 2 Manchester United 1Champions League, Estadio do DragaoAfter Quinton Fortune gave United the lead in this last-16 first leg, Roy Keane was sent off and Benni McCarthy scored twice to give Porto the edge. Paul Scholes put United ahead in the second leg but Costinha’s late equaliser won it.

First blood: Benni McCarthy scored twice for Porto against Manchester United in 2004

2005: Manchester United 1 Chelsea 0Premier League, Old TraffordChelsea won their first league title in 50 years six months earlier and, although Darren Fletcher’s header was enough to claim victory in November, Mourinho’s side successfully defended their title come May.

2007: Chelsea 1 Manchester United 0 (Aet)FA Cup final, WembleyTwo weeks after being pipped by United to the Premier League title, Mourinho took Chelsea to Wembley for the first FA Cup final to be played at the newly built stadium. With the score 0-0 after 90minutes, Didier Drogba’s extra-time goal gave Mourinho a domestic cup double.

FA Cup glory: Didier Drogba's goal gave Chelsea victory, and Mourinho his last major trophy at Chelsea

2009: Manchester United 2 Inter Milan 0Champions League, Old TraffordAfter a 0-0 draw in the first leg of the last-16 tie at San Siro, headers from Nemanja Vidic and Cristiano Ronaldo put Ferguson’s side through. United progressed to the final in Rome but were sunk by a formidable Barcelona.

2013: Real Madrid 1 Manchester United 1Champions League, BernabeuDanny Welbeck put United in front before Ronaldo responded with a superb header. United goalkeeper and Madrid native David de Gea kept his side in it with a series of fine saves to set uptonight’s mouth-watering second leg.

Finely balanced: The first leg finished 1-1, leaving Real and United both in a position to reach the quarter-finals